September declared National Voter Registration Month

     The Jones County Board of Supervisors declared September National Voter Registration Month.

     County Auditor Janine Sulzner read the official proclamation during the Sept. 8 board meeting:

     “Whereas, registering to vote empowers eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote on Election Day; and

     “Whereas, 2020 marks the centennial anniversary of women gaining access to the ballot box through the passage of the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; and

     “Whereas, one of the national leaders of the women’s suffrage movement was Iowan Carrie Chapman Catt; and

     “Whereas, Iowa consistently ranks among the top 10 states in the nation for voter registration and voter participation, with more than 2 million residents currently registered to vote; and

     “Whereas, 17-year-olds are now eligible to register to vote in Iowa;

     “Whereas, Iowa’s voter registration process is easier and more convenient than ever before, with online voter registration, Election Day registration, and applications available through government agencies across the state; and

     “Whereas, the State of Iowa’s online voter registration system enables citizens to register to vote and update their registration status quickly and easily, any time of day; and

     “Whereas, we encourage all interested citizens and all appropriate media outlets and civic organizations to participate in this non-partisan voter registration awareness campaign to encourage the maximum participation of qualified voters in Iowa.

     “Now, therefore, we, the Jones County Board of Supervisors, do hereby proclaim September 2020 as National Voter Registration Month; and Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 as National Voter Registration Day.”